The iconic images of India

Taj Mahal

You’ve seen it in pictures. You know it by name. And you know the country just by looking at this building. The Taj Mahal. And it was about time we finally saw it. This is pretty much the only reason to come to Agra. That and it’s lesser known things, like the fort and gardens.

Ian didn’t expect himself to be incredibly excited. After all, it’s just another monument. It was also reaching 40 degrees at the heat of the day. Not the funnest time to go wandering by any means. And to top it off, the crowds have dispersed, as it is low season, but by jove! if they’re still isn’t a huge line up to go through security.
All the reasons were there to not expect a huge “WHOA”. First of, did we mention the ridiculous price of 750 rupees? The locals pay only 20 rupees. Really, 750 rupees is about 15USD. But this has a sneaky upside to it. Because tourists have to pay 750 rupees, we are considered “high value ticket holders” so we skipped the lines and jumped right ahead through security (in hind sight we could’ve), going into the mausoleum, and entering through other high traffic areas.

So that was a little silver lining. Also, going after the heat of the day… is still hot. But at least you’re not wandering in direct sunlight at 2pm in 40 degree heat. And if you’re a photographer, you’d know that around starting at 5pm is the best time for photography too as it has the perfect lighting.

Sun setting on the Taj

With that, we enter the Taj Mahal. Sure the crowds were a little tough to push through. And sure we waited inline to get to a photographic area and then to be bombarded moments later with the locals. And sure we were shoved off immediately by impatient people (tourists alike). But despite all that shoving, pushing, heat, and expensive tickets, seeing the Taj will make you forget ill fated situations that’s part of seeing something this iconic. Awe.

As the sun crept up to it’s evening glow, Ian started running around trying to take advantage of the lighting. He couldn’t contain his excitement.

What is the Taj Mahal? It’s a building constructed in memory of a 3rd wife by the Maharaja (blah blah blah) But because the Maharaja took the taxpayers money to build it, the son (who succeeded him) decreed that he should be locked up for life for selfishly using the taxpayers money. Boy, if politics worked like that today! To make it a double whammy, he was locked up in the Fort across the way in perfect line of sight to the Taj. He had to suffered that sight until he died 8 years later.

View of the Taj from the prison

Now? Now the Ministry of Tourism is using the entrance fee proceeds for maintenance and upkeep. They even declared the space 500 meters around it the “pollution free” zone. So only electric cars, bicycle rickshaws, and horses are allowed in. This is to attempt and keep the Taj Mahal from turning colour from the pollution. And since the Ministry of Tourism is maintaining it, I guess in the end the Taj returned back to it’s people.

2 nights were plenty. We were itching to go to our last city. One of the holiest cities in India. Varanasi.